Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-02-17
Washington Letter
(FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON. FEBRUARY Is, 1887

W tSHlNGTOS, FEbRJARl 10, 1901.
The principal topic of comment at
the Capital during the past few days
was the Presidents veto OF the Big
Pension bill. Many We're prepared for
the veto, however. 1t was the logical
sequ ence Of Mr.. Clevelanl's action with
regard to private pension bills, and he
could not have been consistent had he
adopted any other course.
1t Is too soon yet to say what Con-
gress will do about it. Its future ac-
ton depends much upon the manner
in which the veto is received by the
country. The Illuminating confession
had as we'll be made that our National
Legislators follow public opinion, in.
stead of leading it.
Some members Of the House who
voted for this remarkable pension bill
say now that they suppose the Presl-
dent is right about 1t, Southern
members are unqualified in their ap,
proval of the Veto and declare that it
will secure to Mr. Cleveland the vote OF
southern delegates to the Democratic
convention and insure his nomination
Others who do not agree with the
President, ackaow edge that the veto
message Is very able State paper. and
that it will be a lmost impossible now
70 pass the bill over the veto. Re
resrntative Warner, of Ohio, was OPP
posed to the principle OF the Disability
Pension bill rs whole, but he main
tains that the Mexican Pension bill
contained much Of the same principle
and that the President would be more
consistent ard his position stronger had
he vetoed both.
! Great interest centred il the person
mel OF the counsel engaged in the great
| telephone contest which ha4 oeen ar
guoI mere for two weeks in the Su-
prem" Court. The appellants We're re
presented by an lnmen Sc array Of coun
Sc from all parts Of he country. They
were all AUlr lawyers and commanded
close attention from the crowded audi,
enco5 which heard them. The great
importance Of this case will be better
understood by the fact that the inter.
ests based on the Bel patents is now
worth over $lO0,o0O,o0U.
The most ridiculous incident Of the
whole case wa9 grand closing attempt
of Mr.. B HIS counsel 10 excite the tear
full sympathy Of the stern Justices for
his client Mr.. Bell who has made an
enormous fortune out of his monopoly
who has crushed out all competitors.
and who has refused to accept the use
of valuable improvements because his
profits would be diminished thereby,
was exhibited as a poor, prosecuted
wrt tch, and compared TO palissy, Watt,
and other martyrs.
The Supreme Court is now taking its
Spring vacation, and several months
may clapse before it will render its de-
CHS ion.
The people Of Washington are wait
ing anxiously for Congress TO sanction
with a generous appropriation, their
scheme for spanning the Potomac to
Arlington with a magnificent, mile
long, memorial bridge to General Grant
1t is proposed that this monument to
the groa. cheftain shall be the ideal
bridge of the world
1t is to get its monumental character
from two grand towers over the main
piers in the middle oil the river. Each
of these towers is to be $50 feet high,
and constructed Of granite, with suita-
bic inscriptions and allegorcal repre-
sentations 1t is intended that the
towers shall! furnish implacement for
reu3r.4l stones or other Objects deli-